A woman and her son were killed Monday in Dast Mastan, Afghanistan, by Taliban militants on accusations of spying for local troops and the local government. Both were shot dead and the bodies were hung in the town as a warning to other villagers who might sympathize with the NATO troops stationed in the province or with the local government, said local province officials, according to DPA. The son had recently joined the local police forces, but no connection could be found between the woman and the local government.

Local Afghan officials and community leaders gathered yesterday to condemn the Taliban’s actions. President Hamid Karzai said in a statement, “The gruesome act is unforgivable and no one can justify it. This shameful act is an affront to all Afghans and their historical traditions,” according to the New York Times.